Court clears legal hurdle for Swapna Barman’s poll debut

In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Assembly elections, Arjuna Award-winning athlete Swapna Barman has finally cleared the legal and administrative hurdles that had threatened to derail her political debut as a Trinamul Congress candidate from the Rajganj Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri.

Fielded by the Trinamul Congress shortly after party chairperson Mamata Banerjee announced her candidature, Barman found herself in a precarious position as she struggled to secure a no-objection certificate from the railways, following her resignation. Her employment with the Northeast Frontier Railway, where she served as a staff and welfare inspector (Level-6) in the personnel department at Alipurduar, became a legal impediment after disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her.

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The situation grew more complicated when railway authorities issued a show-cause notice and subsequently framed a major penalty charge against her, effectively preventing the acceptance of her resignation under existing rules. With her electoral prospects hanging in balance, Barman approached the Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri, seeking judicial intervention.

Justice Gaurang Kanthe heard the matter over multiple days ~ 24, 25, and 27 March in the case titled Swapna Barman vs Senior Divisional Personnel Officer & Another. Represented by a team of senior advocates including Jishnu Chowdhury and Nilay Chakraborty, Barman petitioned for the acceptance of her resignation dated 16 March 2026 and the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings initiated earlier that month.

In his order on Friday, Justice Kanthe directed the railway authorities to take a final decision regarding her termination by 30 March and to communicate the outcome without delay. According to legal representatives of the railway authorities, the matter has since been resolved following Barman’s submission of a fresh application seeking termination of her service. Officials indicated that her services have been terminated, effectively ending her association with the Railways and clearing the path for her to contest the elections ~ though at the cost of forfeiting any future government employment.

Barman’s entry into politics, however, has not been without turbulence within her own party. Her nomination triggered resentment from sitting MLA Khageshwar Roy, a four-time MLA, who publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s candidate selection and electoral strategy. The internal discord raised questions about the level of grassroots support Barman might receive during her campaign.

Adding to her personal challenges, Barman is also coping with the recent demise of her father, a daily wage earner who supported the family by pulling a van rickshaw. Despite the emotional setback, she is now preparing to launch her campaign with party workers.

Notably, Mamata Banerjee is understood to have intervened to defuse tensions within the party, reportedly persuading Roy to back Barman’s candidature. Roy has since assured the leadership that he will support the party’s campaign against the BJP in the constituency.

A celebrated name in Indian athletics, Barman rose to prominence after winning gold in the heptathlon at the 2018 Asian Games and has continued to excel, including multiple gold medals at the 2022 National Games. Her transition from sports to politics is being closely watched, particularly in a constituency where organisational unity may prove as crucial as public appeal.

While the legal battle appears to have been resolved in her favour, the coming days will test Barman’s ability to consolidate party support and translate her sporting legacy into electoral success.